Blog Posts by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

If you're trying to lose weight, you might be extremely attached to your scale. Maybe you weigh yourself every day...or worse...two or three times a day. Granted, if you are trying to lose weight, every ounce that you lose seems like a triumph, but weighing yourself every day or more might be doing a number on your mental state:

1. Emotional Roller Coaster: The fluctuations displayed on the scale might send you on an emotional roller coaster. If the display shows you a lower number, you are propelled into an instant state of ecstatic happiness. If the display doesn't tell you what you'd like to see, however, maybe you launch into disappointment and self-inflicted negativity. Either way, your whole entire outlook for the day can become dependent on the output of a gadget.

2. Quality Poundage: Your weight is only one measurement of health. It doesn't factor, however, your height, your build, your body fat, your lean muscle tissue or your bone density. When you think of your weight and

When our physical health suffers, we go to the doctor for a physical checkup. But what about our minds? When was the last time you got a checkup for your mental health? The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of wellbeing where a person can realize their own potential, deal with life's normal stresses, be a productive worker, and make positive contributions to their community. If you are struggling with any one of these aspects, you might find that your mental health is suffering. Here are four ways you can try to improve it.

1. Balanced Thinking: Always dwelling on the negative in life's circumstances is one sure fire way to bring you down fast. Your thoughts not only affect how you treat yourself but how you treat others. Only focusing on the negative will make you feel worse about a situation and about yourself as well. As a result, it is important to maintain good mental health and learn how to balance your thought patterns by considering all parts of a

Almost 40% of Americans don't read the Nutrition Facts panel, according to a study conducted by Nicholas J. Ollberding, PhD, Randi L. Wolf, PhD, and Isobel Contento, PhD, of Columbia University and published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. What's more, 50% don't read the list of ingredients, 53% don't pay attention to serving size and 56% don't glance at health claims. This is an issue.

Although there were significant differences in the quality of nutrient intake observed between food label readers and non-readers, food labels are only as good as the amount that they are read.

"If the food label is to have a greater public health impact, rates of use will likely need to be increased among U.S. adults," commented Professor Ollberding. "Low rates of label use also suggest that national campaigns or modification of the food label may be needed to reduce the proportion of the population not using this information."

Maybe Professor Ollberding's prayers have

Whether you are in the cold of the Northeast or in the warmth of the south, Valentine's Day is a day of love, warmth and friendship. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on how meaningful our relationships are, and to appreciate those we love. And, there is no better way to show your love than to gift a loved one with a little TLC and pampering.

This Valentine's Day, let the world of spa be your inspiration for the perfect gift:

1. Couples Massage. Massage provides multiple benefits to one's health, including: relaxation and stress reduction, improved circulation, and detoxification. Enjoying a massage together, however, can provide even more benefit. It allows you to experience a wonderful and relaxing moment together, while drawing you closer to one another.
2. Gift Baskets. Make someone special feel their best with a spa gift basket that allows them to bask in luxury. Men and women alike will enjoy an extra plush spa robe, soft terry slippers, a body scrub to exfoliate

According to a recent study by the American Heart Association, too much sugar in your diet could be detrimental to heart health and lead to heart disease. Jean Welsh, MPH, PhD, R.N., study author and post-doctoral fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. stated that "the intake of added sugars is positively associated with known cardiovascular risk factors…consumers of added sugar have more unfavorable cholesterol levels…place[ing] them at risk for heart disease…"

You may have already known this and have taken action. Maybe you've started cutting the white stuff out of your diet; or have resorted to artificially sweetened foods to avoid it altogether. You may have even started reading ingredient lists on a regular basis in hot pursuit of some of the biggest known offenders within the sweet ingredient category (high fructose corn syrup, anyone?). Unfortunately, even with all of these attempts, you may not have scratched the surface.

Sugar comes in many forms, and for the most

No matter what team you are rooting for, Super Bowl Sunday is a fun, festive, food-filled day. If you are planning a party for the Big Game, you could go one of three ways: Unhealthy, Healthy, or somewhere in-between. If you are opting for the second or third option, there are a lot of little tweaks to make the Big Game festive and fun, as well as tasty AND healthy. Here are some easy healthy swaps to consider for the Big Game:

1. Chip Swap: Doritos, potato chips, tortilla chips, oh my! What Super Bowl party does NOT have chips as part of its snacking lineup? This year, go with Food Should Taste Good's Jalapeno or Lime flavored multi-grain chips, for a healthy, yet flavorful accompaniment to dips and salsa. They are very higher in fiber and protein, and lower in fat than your average potato chip. Moreover, they are made with all-natural, easy to pronounce, highly familiar ingredients.
2. Bagged Popcorn Swap: Air popped popcorn is a much healthier option than your traditional

As the winter days drag on and on, and temperatures seem to drop further and further, exercise may become harder and harder to enjoy. It's at this time of the year that we all can empathize with the big bear who hibernates through winter to conserve energy. Unfortunately, our bodies DON'T hibernate and we continue to eat and drink, just as we do during the warmer months…or maybe even more. As a result, staying active can be even more important to one's health during the winter.

Although the cold, dark days may not be calling you out of bed to get to the gym, maybe these simple tips will help you enjoy exercise, even when temperatures seem unbearable:

1. Find a Workout Partner: If you made a New Year's resolution to be healthier, you may feel your resolution fading. Buddy up with a friend and help one another stick with your resolutions by working out together. It will make it more fun and enjoyable, you'll feel more accountable for each others' success, and most importantly,

Feeling a little stressed? It is no wonder, we are going through some stressful times these days. The good news is that we can manage this. Research has shown that consuming certain vitamins and minerals found in certain stress reducing foods are key to our ability to reduce tension. So next time you feel tightly wound, try some of these:

1. Blueberries: Blueberries are extremely high in vitamin C and high in fiber. Vitamin C is important to helping our body reduce tension, while fiber helps to regulate our blood sugar levels. Drastic changes in our blood sugar can cause us to have mood swings, which may contribute to anxiety.
2. Dark Green Vegetables: Spinach, kale, broccoli, kale and other dark green vegetables are great stress reducing foods. They are packed with vitamins that nourish our bodies. They are also high in potassium, which is especially good for calming our nerves. Like blueberries, these are also high in fiber, which not only controls blood sugar but aids